Phillies Preview: Cubs Series 8/11 - 8/13

Philadelphia Phillies (61-48) at Chicago Cubs (58-52)

The Phillies will open a six game road trip against two teams looking to stay in the playoff hunt. Their first stop will be three games at historic Wrigley Field against the Cubs. The two teams matched up a few weeks ago in Philadelphia with the Phils taking two of three. Now, they will matchup in a series of heavyweight pitchers this week. Pedro Martinez will be making his Phillies debut on Wednesday night in front of a national audience on ESPN.

August 11, 2009
8:05pm - Wrigley Field, Chicago, IL
J.A. Happ, LHP (8-2, 2.74) v. Rich Harden, RHP (7-7, 4.41)

J.A. Happ will look to continue his push towards the NL Rookie of the Year award as he faces off with the oft-injured Rich Harden in game one. Happ was close to unhittable in his last outing, as he tossed a four-hit shutout against the Rockies. Harden is coming off of a tough loss at the hands of the Reds in his last outing, as he went six strong while striking out nine. This promises to be a well-pitched game under the lights at Wrigley.

Pitching Primer: J.A. Happ

2009 Road Splits: 12 G, 57.2 IP, 4-1, 1.72 ERA, 39 K

Career at Wrigley Field: n/a

Career vs. Cubs Hitters: 3 PA, .000 BA, 0 HR, 1 K

Pitching Primer: Rich Harden

2009 Home Splits: 10 G, 48.2 IP, 3-5, 6.84 ERA, 56 K

Career at Wrigley Field: 17 G, 88.2 IP, 5-5, 4.57 ERA, 117 K
Career vs. Phillies Hitters: 116 PA, .115 BA, 3 HR, 31 K

August 12, 2009
8:05pm - Wrigley Field, Chicago, IL
Pedro Martinez, RHP (0-0, 0.00) v. Carlos Zambrano, RHP (7-4, 3.35)

The second game of the series will feature two righties as Pedro Martinez makes his Phillies debut against the Cubs' Carlos Zambrano. Martinez looked good in his final rehab start at AA Reading when he struck out 11 batters in six innings. Meanwhile Carlos Zambrano is scheduled to come off of the disabled list this week. Zambrano faced the Phillies earlier this season and led the Cubs to their only victory at Citizens Bank Park this year.

Pitching Primer: Pedro Martinez

2009 Road Splits: n/a

Career at Wrigley Field: 6 G, 22.1 IP, 2-2, 5.24 ERA, 25 K

Career vs. Cubs Hitters: 86 PA, .192 BA, 0 HR, 24 K

Pitching Primer: Carlos Zambrano

2009 Home Splits: 9 G, 58.1 IP, 2-2, 3.55 ERA, 46 K
Career at Wrigley Field: 129 G, 772.2 IP, 46-36, 3.59 ERA, 646 K

Career vs. Phillies Hitters: 137 PA, .224 BA, 0 HR, 31 K

August 13, 2009
2:20pm - Wrigley Field, Chicago, IL
Cliff Lee, LHP (9-9, 2.95) v. Ryan Dempster, RHP (6-5, 4.04)

The finale of the three game set will be a traditional day game at Wrigley Field. It will feature a Cliff Lee and Ryan Dempster. Lee has pitched extremely well in his first two starts for the Phillies and will be matched up against a right-handed heavy Cubs lineup. Meanwhile, Dempster pitched one of his best games of the season his last time out, limiting the Rockies to two earned runs in a 6-5 Cubs win. If the wind is blowing out, this could be a higher scoring affair than both pitchers are used to.

Pitching Primer: Cliff Lee
2009 Road Splits: 12 G, 86.0 IP, 5-3, 3.03 ERA, 57 K
Career at Wrigley Field: 1 G, 7.0 IP, 0-0, 3.86 ERA, 5 K
Career vs. Cubs Hitters: 51 PA, .256 BA, 4 HR, 11 K

Pitching Primer: Ryan Dempster

2009 Home Splits: 8 G, 48.2 IP, 4-1, 4.62 ERA, 40 K

Career at Wrigley Field: 146 G, 326.0 IP, 25-26, 3.62 ERA, 286 K

Career vs. Phillies Hitters: 109 PA, .310 BA, 4 HR, 23 K